Daredevils coach Shipperd knows what it takes

In his first interview after the appointment, Shipperd talks about his coaching style and what makes him the man with the Midas touch.

• You seem to have hit upon a magic formula this season…

Well, it won’t remain a magic formula if I speak about it! It’s just one of those things you plan and put together according to situations, try and execute, enjoy each other’s company and pass on simple messages that everyone understands.

• You don’t have big names in the Victorian side. Is that how you prefer it?

Yes, you can say that. It definitely worked for me in Australia. I personally believe what you need is a good bowling attack, an agile fielding set to back them up and some good strikers of the ball. I think we have them all in the Delhi team.

• Virender Sehwag is in Australia, did you have a chat with him?

Yeah, Viru and I had a brief chat and we spoke about various players who can be in our team. It was brief. I think he and I can find a good winning recipe.

• What’s your specific coaching style?

It’s difficult to describe… there are different approaches you require as a coach, and depending on the people you are negotiating with, you have to take that line. For example, there’s a different way of communicating with fast bowlers; I have always believed that bowlers have a very important role to play in T20 competitions.

• Finally, what’s your thought on coaching world-class players from different countries coming together?

It sounds very interesting and is a different scenario, for sure. I will tackle this soon. Maybe from next week as I’m in middle of something else. (His team plays the one-day final against Tasmania this Sunday).